We as small business owners, no matter the various industries we work in, all have at least one thing in common: we’re keenly aware of our bottom line.  Whether your small business is self-funded or is assisted by a bank loan or line of credit, we all have to be a little stingy with the dollars we spend, particularly when we’re getting started. As such, we’re always on the lookout for an opportunity to save some money.

One of the best ways to do that when you first start a business is to look into used office furniture. From office cubicles to conference tables, to desks, chairs, and filing cabinets, you can save a large sum of money while still getting high-quality furniture for your space.

Jay Berkowitz of Arnolds Office Furniture tells us why you should consider buying pre-owned office furniture:

Why might a small business owner choose to buy used furniture for their office?

Simple. Small business owners often see a huge savings when buying used office furniture. And, in most cases, you can’t tell the difference. It’s also in stock and available quickly, as opposed to a long lead time from the factory.

How much money can a small business really save by purchasing used furniture vs. new?

We save our customers, on average, about 70 percent in comparison to the same furniture new. For example, to outfit a small business start-up with 25 employees, it would cost about $150,000 in brand new furniture. At Arnold’s, it would cost about $50,000 for the same exact furniture.

What are some misconceptions that people have about using pre-owned furniture for their offices?

The biggest misconception is that the furniture is already worn out and of poor quality. It’s also commonly thought that pre-owned furniture won’t hold up as well. This could not be further from the truth.

Many people think that buying used furniture is equivalent to buying a used car. It’s not. The fact is that furniture has a life expectancy longer than our own, so it will last as long as you need it to — whether it is used or new. As far as it being worn out … well, not at Arnold’s. We only sell gently-used, pre-owned office furniture, and it looks as close to new as you can get after we deliver.

What’s the best way to figure out exactly how much furniture you’ll need?

Its simple — just send us your space plan, and we will do a professional analysis and AutoCAD design for you to see exactly what will fit in the space, while also being mindful that it will fit your budget.

What furniture pieces or office items can small businesses typically find used that they might not have realized?

Everything you can imagine — from furniture for the lunch room to the board room and everything in between. We are a one-stop shop and pride ourselves in offering the customer a huge line of the highest-quality, pre-owned office furniture and one of the largest selections under one roof.

Did you purchase pre-owned or used furniture for your small business? What kind of savings did you realize? 

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Reasons People Incorporate Their Small Businesses

Business owners choose to incorporate for several good reasons. For example, once a business starts netting around $60,000 a year or more, tax savings make incorporating a smart idea. After incorporating, some business owners see dramatic reductions in their tax liability.

Incorporating also confers asset protection when there is liability risk. Even small businesses can be seriously affected by liability, and incorporating protects personal assets against liability, since the corporation is a separate entity from the person who runs it.

In general, if significant personal assets are at risk, or if the business is exposed to high liability, incorporation makes sense. Many businesses use incorporation services to help with the process of incorporation.

How Do You Incorporate Your Business?

The first step in incorporating your business is deciding if you want in-state or out-of-state incorporation. Smaller businesses usually incorporate in the state where they conduct most of their business, but they are free to incorporate in other states. If you’re in business with others, you’ll need to create an agreement about who serves on the board of directors, who buys stock, and how the stock will be priced.

You will need to file an application for registration under the name you want to use. The forms for this come from your state’s Secretary of State office. They will let you know if the name you want has already been taken. Next, you’ll need to prepare articles of incorporation, after which you’ll receive a certificate of incorporation, which you will need to sign.

You will hold a stockholder meeting after getting your charter where you’ll adopt corporate bylaws and elect your board of directors. The documents created in the pre-incorporation agreement will need to be adopted by the board.

What Do Incorporation Services Do?

Many small business owners use incorporation services to help them incorporate. These services run a preliminary name check to make sure the name you want is available, ensure that the information you provide meets your state requirements, and prepare your incorporation documents to be sent to the applicable state agency.

Once state approval is granted, you will be sent a package of documents, including your incorporation documents. Many incorporation services also offer support to make sure you have any necessary permits or licenses and meet any ongoing compliance requirements in your state.

Business owners use incorporation services for convenience, or because they don’t feel like they have the time to do all the necessary research and legwork necessary to incorporate.

Do Incorporation Services Deal with Different Types of Corporations?

If you’ve looked into incorporating, you quickly learned that there are many different types of corporations, such as:

• C Corporations
• S Corporations
• Limited Liability Corporations

Many incorporation services help you determine which type of incorporation is right for your particular business. If you are interested in incorporating as an S corporation, you have to incorporate as a C corporation first, and your incorporation service can help you do that. Businesses are incorporated as S corporations because of tax advantages. Limited liability corporations (LLCs) are more flexible than S corporations and C corporations, and are very popular due to their flexibility of ownership and division of profits.

Generally speaking, it is cheapest to incorporate as a C corporation, slightly more expensive to take a company from being a C corporation to being an S corporation, and more expensive still to incorporate as an LLC.

What Should You Expect to Pay for Incorporation Services?

The least expensive incorporation services start at around $40, plus the cost of state incorporation fees. You may pay up to $200 plus state incorporation fees for incorporating as a C corporation, depending on the service and what state you’re incorporating in.

While some services charge different prices for incorporating as a C corporation, an S corporation, or an LLC, others charge a flat fee regardless. With services that use a tiered pricing structure, expect to pay the lowest fees for incorporating as a C corporation and the highest fees for incorporating as an LLC.

Fees are generally higher for incorporation services where the work is done by attorneys, and lower with services where most of the steps are carried out by paralegals or assistants.

Is an Incorporation Service Worth It?

Running a business requires a great deal of your time and attention, and you may not feel like you have the time necessary to deal with the intricacies of incorporating. This is where incorporation services come in: they are there to help the process go quickly and easily.

Many businesses find that spending a few hundred dollars to have an incorporation service handle the process is a wise investment of their resources and allows them to focus on running the business while incorporation professionals take care of all the steps involved in incorporating.

Image Link:

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/251732

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Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to start a small business. Some desire flexibility and control over their work. Others want the opportunity to make more money than they could in the corporate world. Even more are forced into it by a down economy. Akil Bello, founder of Bell Curves in Brooklyn, NY, wanted to make a difference.

Akil launched Bell Curves nearly a decade ago, and sat down with us to share his experience as a small business owner, including why he made the leap to self-employment and what he’d do differently if he had to start all over again. And, if you’re afraid of making mistakes as a new small business owner, Akil assures us that he’s made them all — and has lived to tell of his thriving business.

Tell us about your business.

Bell Curves is a 10-year-old test preparation company providing SSAT, ISEE, ACT, SAT, GMAT, GRE, and LSAT tutoring, classes, self-study materials, lectures, and training for individual test-takers, educators, and administrators. We focus on providing highly-effective and affordable services. Bell Curves is a socially-responsible company that seeks to provide a public service while still making profit.

Since its start in a small two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, Bell Curves has grown significantly. In 2010, Bell Curves merged with The ProTesters, almost doubling the number of clients served while reducing duplication and administrative overhead. In 2011, we delivered programs in eight cities — from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Washington DC to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Why did you start this company?

I joined my brother in starting Bell Curves because after working for more than a decade in one of the largest test preparation companies in the country, I was growing increasingly frustrated with an industry that exacerbated disparities in test performance and access to education.  Secondarily, I was looking for long-term stability. The prospect of being a part-time tutor (which I had been for 13 years) while supporting a family didn’t appeal to or comfort me; I was looking for something that had greater potential to allow me to retire. When my brother broached the idea of starting a business to leverage our experience in test preparation and education, I jumped at the idea.

What’s your favorite thing about running your own business?

Its hard to narrow down one aspect of the business that’s my favorite thing. That will vary day to day. Today, while at home writing these responses, the flexibility of being my own boss is highly appealing. On other days, I appreciate the ability to learn and grow as I delve into the diverse elements of running a business.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in growing your company?

I think the biggest challenges that I faced are those faced by many, if not all, small businesses: marketing, recruiting, and shifting from product expert to business owner. Marketing is challenging because often the benefits are difficult to quantify, and the value of getting expertise that you don’t have is hard to prioritize above other needs.

Recruiting presents the challenge of trying to build a team of highly-skilled individuals who can share your passion, yet provide insight, skills, and perspective that I don’t have. I have to try to build a team in which I can be confident I’m not the most knowledgeable and skilled in most areas (because if I am, I’ll do all the work).

Finally, learning to go from product expert (in my case test prep teacher and developer) to business man presented a huge challenge because the skill set and focus is very different. Nothing in my life as a teacher really prepared me to be a financial auditor, manager, or marketer, and developing those skills as early in the business as possible was key.

Did you put together a business plan? If so, what did you learn from doing it?

I did not put a business plan together, but should have and am currently working on one.

What mistakes have you made along the way?

A better question would be what mistakes did I NOT make. I’ve made pretty much every mistake you can make. Everyone will make mistakes as they learn a new business or new role. I’ve lost contracts worth $100k a year because I didn’t listen carefully enough to the advice of business partners. I’ve hired and fired when I shouldn’t have. I’ve been wrong about projections and predictions. I’ve overlooked opportunities. I’ve allowed things I shouldn’t have and pushed for others that were not worthwhile. No matter what mistakes I’ve made, I’ve tried to learn from them and keep moving forward.

Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting over again?

If I were to start a new business or were able to start again, I’d plan more. I’d write a business plan just for me, so I could plan out the predictable contingencies. I’d write a business plan to allow me to think through the considerations that other business owners say must be addressed. I’d plan for growth and failure. I’d try to make sure that as many variables as possible were something I’d planned for or considered or experienced.

Final words of wisdom for anyone wondering how to get started…

If you are even thinking of starting a business of your own, go get a job working for someone starting their own business and work with them to grow it. Especially if you don’t come from a business background. My experience as a part-time tutor did not prepare me for dealing with buying group health insurance plans. My experience as a teacher didn’t teach me how to forecast yearly income, how to assess overhead, when to fire an under-performing employee, how to assess how to properly position an underutilized employee, or how to distinguish between an 1099 employee and a W2 employee. I’d have much preferred to learn these lessons and 100 others on someone else’s dime when I didn’t also have to worry about paying myself and my staff.

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Unless your business has web designers and site builders on staff, you’ll need to work with a web design firm when it’s time for your next web project. Here’s how not to choose a web design firm — that is if you want an attractive, highly-functional site that builds your brand and attracts lots of web traffic.

Choose a Web Designer You’re Related to

Your new brother-in-law may not have that much time to devote to your project right now, but he’s about to graduate, and as soon as they get back from backpacking through Mexico he’ll have tons of time for your stuff. And he’s bound to give you a great rate for his services, right? There’s really no way this could go wrong and lead to awkward and strained family holiday get-togethers.

Choose a Web Design Firm Without a Portfolio

The only reason they don’t have a portfolio is because they’ve been so busy designing and building websites. It probably doesn’t have anything to do with abandoning projects and leaving clients with non-working sites that the client is ashamed to link to.

If You’re in the Heavy Machinery Business, Choose a Designer Known for Fashion Websites

After all, how much difference can there be between one website and another? They all have pictures, text, and links. Just have them replace evening gown photos with photos of jackhammers and have the site open with an auto-start video of a construction site rather than a runway. Simple!

Choose a Designer Who Doesn’t Have Time for Things Like Written Contracts

Doesn’t the web do away with old-fashioned things like paper contracts signed in ink? They’ll probably meet the deadlines you set, as long as you remind them frequently. And if you mention that they seem to have forgotten that you needed shopping cart functionality on the site, they’ll probably get to it first thing tomorrow.

Pick a Designer Who Demands Cash Up Front

If you pay for everything up front, he’ll probably make your project his top priority and get your site up and running sooner than he would if you insisted on things like milestone payments.

Make Sure Your Designer Loves Flash Animation

What’s more eye-catching than a site full of kinetic energy and bright colors? Your customers won’t mind waiting for the page to load or rebooting after the occasional crash, because they know the final product will be awesome! And they probably won’t want to look at your site on an iPad anyway.

What Could Be Better Than a Designer Who Hangs Out at Coffee Shops?

Today’s most creative web designers can’t be boxed in by things like office hours, physical addresses, and business cards! Sure, he has a different phone number this week than last, but you’ll be able to track him down if something should go wrong with the site. After all, the barista seems to know when he usually shows up.

Pick a Designer Who Requires a Multi-Year SEO Contract and Insists on Doing the Hosting

Chances are you’ll want to stick with this designer indefinitely, so you might as well let him lock you into a hosting and SEO marketing package for the next three years. Your needs and the web itself are not likely to change much in only three years, right?

Ignore Former Clients Who Were Dissatisfied

If they didn’t want totally different site navigation on every page, why didn’t they say so? And those unmarked navigation buttons are only a problem for people who are too lazy to mouse over them to find out where they lead, and too forgetful to remember which blank button leads where.

In all seriousness…

Web design as an industry is still less than two decades old, but that doesn’t mean that timeless, sound business principles don’t apply when dealing with web designers. Learn about pricing structures for website design and construction, compare packages and costs from several firms, and speak with clients to find out what they liked and didn’t like about the firms you’re considering. Remember that written contracts can protect both parties, and don’t let a designer railroad you into a design or marketing package you don’t want.

Image Link:

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/213607

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VoIP Phone Systems and Savings

To say that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business phone systems have revolutionized business calls is an understatement. By placing calls over the internet, rather than over copper or fiber-optic cables, costs for calls are no longer influenced by geography, and the infrastructure needed for even elaborate business phone systems is miniscule in comparison to what the first office phones required. Here is a look at how VoIP works in small and large businesses.

Small Businesses and VoIP

Tabarka Studio makes hand-crafted decorative ceramic tiles in Scottsdale, Arizona. These tiles are used in high-end bathrooms and kitchens in the United States and the UK. Until recently, the company had a legacy business phone system with two phone lines. Only two workers could use the phone system at a time, and callers would get a busy signal if both lines were in use. The answering machine Tabarka had hooked up could only take messages and had no other useful functions.

The company installed a hosted VoIP system with multiple phone lines, toll-free and local numbers, voice mail (with email voice messaging), and dependable call routing. Extras included auto-attendant, online fax, and number portability.

Tabarka manager Ilan Cooke was thrilled with the new system, saying, “We are now able to handle all incoming phone calls and the professional-sounding hold and voicemail messages make us look bigger than we actually are.” Not only did their VoIP system enhance productivity, it saved 60% compared to the old phone system.

Big Businesses and VoIP

Nationwide Equity, a large brokerage and mortgage banking firm that is in the process of expanding to all 50 states, had a particular branch office with a balky phone system that was expensive and didn’t offer the features that businesses count on, like interoffice transfer. The top priority for replacing the system was adding features like call forwarding, auto-attendant, and call transfers. Up-front costs for a new PBX system were prohibitive, so Nationwide started looking at VoIP systems.

The new system was easy to set up and had flat-rate pricing that included an 800 number for customer convenience. Unlike with the old phone system, interoffice transfers on the VoIP system could be done with one button.

Said Branch Manager Mark Daniel, “Customers can’t tell whether we’re speaking to them on VoIP or a regular phone line and that’s the way it should be. I expected to have to pay significantly more each month for the level of quality we experience. It feels like we’re underpaying for the incredible value we’re receiving”

Economies of Scale and VoIP Systems

With VoIP systems, unlike older PBX systems, economies of scale apply even to very small businesses. Excess bandwidth is shareable and can be allocated wherever it’s needed. This alone allows businesses of any size to cut costs for calls. The different traffic patterns for data in VoIP systems versus PBX systems makes VoIP far more efficient.

What’s more, infrastructure costs with VoIP are low enough that large businesses don’t benefit as much from buying equipment in bulk. In fact, some start-ups use a “Bring Your Own Device” strategy where employees bring their own mobile device to work and are able to use it as part of the business phone system. This can be very efficient and cost-effective for new businesses, since around 90% of employees already bring their own mobile devices to work.

VoIP: Great for Businesses of All Sizes

VoIP benefits businesses of every size, from one-person offices to Fortune 500 companies. In fact, when you buy PBX systems today, those systems almost all use VoIP telephony in their gateways so that they can remain competitive.

If it’s time to replace your business phone system, you will probably be pleasantly surprised at how cost effective VoIP business phone systems are, no matter how big or small your enterprise is.

Image Link:

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/697868

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Have you always wanted to start a small business, but were unsure how you might fare? What would happen if the economy got worse? What if your business approach didn’t pan out the way you planned and you had to switch gears?

Keith Beausoleil of Fortified Insurance Agency in Manchester, NH has gone through both of these situations. He made the switch from one small business to another in order to achieve his goals, and did it all successfully during the recession.

We asked him to give us some insight into how he approaches running a small business. Read on for Keith’s advice on the best tools you need for your business and what one thing he recommends you have in order to increase your chances for success.

Tell us about your business.

We’re a local independent insurance agency specializing in personal and commercial insurance offerings.  We attempt to know our clients to the extent they are willing to share details of their lives so we can offer insurance coverages that fit their specific needs. We are really dedicated to creating strong relationships with our customers, insurance carriers, and employees.

As an independent agent, we can partner with the best insurance carriers to provide you with a choice. We can tailor a program to fit your needs by placing you with one insurance carrier that covers all of your needs, or place your coverage with separate carriers. It’s all about choices.

Why did you start this company?

I am a career insurance nerd and worked on the corporate side in Boston for years — commuting from Manchester (about a 1 hour drive). I wanted to do something in my community that was related to insurance and use my background to start a new business. I actually started an Allstate Insurance office in 2005, but closed it in 2006 because we were limited in what we could offer our clients; one product line. We then opened what is now our independent insurance agency and can offer more types of insurance products that fit a more diverse spectrum of customers.  This allows us to better serve new customers, existing customers, and is a better overall business model, in my opinion.

 What’s your favorite thing about running your own business?

I cannot say it’s time off, as I’ve never worked this hard in my life! It has to be that what we do makes or breaks us.  If we cannot retain our customers or secure new ones, we fail to be a sustainable business and cannot take care of our employees or our own families.  In short, the business is what you make it.  I like that risk/reward proposition.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in growing your company?

We’ve been able to grow the company through my lifetime’s biggest economic slump.  This has certainly challenged us and the smaller insurance agency business model.  The economic environment impacts us from many different directions. For example, a tough economy can mean more clients file more and larger claims. That creates more service work than usual, and more time we spend servicing existing clients means less time working on new clients (current clients come first). Also, carrier margins get thinner resulting in lower commission schedules, etc. Despite the slow-growing economy, insurance carriers like us to bring more new clients, and on and on. With a tough economy, everyone gets squeezed…including us.

Of all the ways you’re marketing your business, what has been most effective?

Without a doubt, it’s spreading the word. When we get a new customer, we typically get their friends and family, too, so referrals and word of mouth.  Everything else in small doses seems to help.

What’s your must-have office product / service / tool and why? 

We could not survive without reliable computers. Everything we do involves using our carrier websites for quoting and servicing our clients.  Without power, a solid internet connection, and computers, we’re dead in the water. Before my time, it was a pencil and paper…I wish there was some kind of backup!

Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting over again? 

One thing…I wish I could have started this when I was younger.

Final words of wisdom for anyone wondering how to get started:

Talk to other folks in the business. If no one talks to you, keep looking until someone does.  Make sure you understand how much investment (money, time, sacrifice) it takes to get going.  Find a good business coach, adviser, or mentor to help you along the way. You’re going to need someone to talk with about ideas and business plans. I had one and I can tell you, I wouldn’t be writing this right now without them!

Photo credit: Fortified Insurance Agency

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When VoIP Meets Social Networking

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a natural partner for social networking. Both concepts are all about interaction and both are being used extensively by businesses. Today’s business phone systems, for example, utilize VoIP technology more than ever before. Many start-up companies that want to streamline phone expenses are starting to implement a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policy where employees are able to use their own smart phones as part of their employer’s phone system, allowing them to be connected even when they’re not in the office. It only makes sense that VoIP call centers would start integrating social networking into their operations, too, and they’re starting to do so on a more widespread basis.

How Do Call Centers Integrate VoIP with Social Networking?

A recent report by HeavyReading.com on VoIP call centers and social networking titled “VoIP Call Centers Adapt to a BYOD World,” analyzed eight companies and how they’re adapting social networking, mobile VoIP, and cloud technology into their service platforms. The study participants’ main goal was to draw on the benefits and popularity of social networking and the increasing use of smart mobile devices.

Until the past couple of years, service providers had separate applications for voice and for other customer interactions. However, as people carry their mobile devices with them everywhere, it makes sense for customers located anywhere to be able to interact with VoIP call centers in ways other than voice-to-voice calls. Today’s VoIP call centers are enabling customer communications with customer service using any number of devices.

What Call Centers are Trying to Do

The goal with many of today’s VoIP call centers is allowing interaction with customers and clients through the customer’s preferred communication channel, which could be a voice call, instant messaging, live online chat, or social networking pages. With communications becoming more unified every day, VoIP call centers have the opportunity to serve customers better and to do it without major capital outlays.

VoIP call centers in financial services, according to the report, are natural allies with social networking. Communications consolidation onto a single platform is a great way for this industry to streamline their business practices. In fact, some are looking toward using VoIP communications systems as revenue generators as well as customer support platforms. Cloud-based call centers are finding it easier to integrate social networking and VoIP in stages over time rather than starting over from scratch to integrate VoIP and social media.

How Customers Will be Affected

The hope among companies with VoIP call centers is to improve communication with customers and clients. If customers have numerous ways of interacting with a call center, they can use the method that is most suitable to them and still get the answers they need. For example, a hearing impaired customer could choose to interact with a call center via live chat rather than a voice phone call. Providing customers with multiple ways of interacting with customer service representatives should keep call center costs under control while still giving customers options that should improve their customer service experience.

VoIP and Social Networking: A Natural Technology Pairing

VoIP and social networking were bound to converge. Both make use of data sharing, but in different ways. With companies looking to adopt integrated communications platforms that make use of VoIP and cloud-based services, it’s only natural that they extend their communications to encompass social networking into the mix by adding the options of live chat and other forms of interaction with customers.

Look for new options for interacting in real time with customer service centers in coming years. The merging of VoIP with social media and social networking should make it easier to get the answers you need.

Image Links:

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/566058

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When you’re in your 20’s, going to clubs and bars is a great way to meet new people and a fun way to spend time with friends. Add in the motivation, the promotional chops, and an entrepreneurial itch, and it can also be a great idea as a way to start a business.

Many entrepreneurs that start their own club say that it’s more of a lifestyle than a career choice. So how do you start a club? It all begins with location, location, location:

Finding a Space

The location of your nightclub is far and away the most important element to your success. A solid club needs access to lots of foot traffic – and not just any foot traffic. You want to be in an area where you have access to the right type of patrons you want to frequent your establishment. This might mean 20-something party-goers, trendy businesspeople, or some combination of demographics. Find a location that isn’t near any other similar nightclubs. Like a good drink, competition can be stiff, and you’ll want to attract as many of the right people as possible.

When you assess your location options, consider the space you’ll need for a bar, dance floor, seating area, balcony (if appropriate), fire exits, etc. If you’re not finding the right lease agreement for your needs, look into other options beyond the obvious club-like spaces. Would an old art space work for you needs, or a retail storefront? Could you see your club taking over the top floor of a building vs. the ground floor?

Decorating

Do you want your club to be romantic? Dark and mysterious? Party central? The theme and décor of your club will lay the foundation for many things: the type of customer that you’re more likely to attract, the types of events you’ll hold and the kind of entertainment people can expect to find when they come to your establishment. Consider whether you have the room for (and weather for) extending your club into an outdoor space as well. Rope in a dream team of architects, designers, and realtors to help you make the right decisions.

You’ll also want to put a lot of time into determining what your exterior facade might look like. You’ll want something that entices folks to enter your doors, and carries out the overall theme you’re going for.

Getting a Liquor License

In addition to the other administrative tasks you’ll undertake to get your company up and running (including putting together your business plan, defining your market and projections, getting funding, incorporating, and setting up business licenses), you’ll have to obtain your liquor license to serve any type of beer, wine, or liquor at your establishment. You’ll want to do this fairly early in your planning, because depending on the system in your area, this could be a lengthy (and sometimes expensive) process.

Stock Your Bar

Many – if not all – clubs are built around alcohol being a major component of the environment and experience at your club. You’ll want to stock your bar in a way that doesn’t empty your wallet. Consider saving money by buying liquor wholesale. Surprisingly, some of the best prices you can find on liquor may be at your local Costco or BJ’s. Or, if you work with a distributor, you’ll want to work with someone who you trust – someone who is flexible, offers competitive pricing and great customer service. You’ll also want to work with a liquor provider who can keep you clued in to the drinking trends that are happening in your area. What beers, liquors, cocktails, and other mixers will you want to have on hand for your growing client base?

Sound System

It’s likely music will be one of the other major reasons patrons go to your club, so you’ll want to contract with a professional electrician or sound system engineer to assess the electrical set up in the location you’ve committed to and to make recommendations that will result in the best possible sound design. You’ll want their input on relocating power sources and positioning of speakers, visual elements, a DJ booth, sound equipment and other system elements to get the maximum impact for the music and entertainment you plan to provide at your establishment. Keep in mind that your music should “fill the space,” and not necessarily be emanating from one particular source.

Hiring Staff

Unlike some other types of small businesses, running a club is NOT a one-man show. Hiring a staff requires specific knowledge of each job within the club. From front of the house waitstaff to bartenders, security, DJs, and other event staff, each person needs to be the best at their job in order for your club to run smoothly. There are many temptations available to your employees when they work at a club (to steal alcohol, money, serve friends for free, etc.), so be sure that you are armed with a clear-cut employee manual for each new hire, and you may consider conducting background checks when hiring for certain positions.

Building Buzz

The key to building buzz for your new club is to have a coordinated promotions and public relations plan. You’ll want to start planning this and planting the seed for a grand opening early on. You’ll not only need to connect with potential new customers via social media and email, but you’ll also want to have a targeted advertising plan. Should you take out an ad in your local newspaper announcing the grand opening? Could you spend some money running Facebook ads, targeting 20-somethings in your area? Consider inviting select groups and other targeted audiences to a “trial run” of your grand opening, where you whip up amazing cocktails and provide them with free drinks or discounts. Award free VIP membership to the first 100 people into your club and be sure you communicate your promotion efforts with every member of your staff.

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Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has changed telecommunications forever, revolutionizing business phone systems and allowing people to make inexpensive or free phone calls all over the world.

But you may have wondered what kinds of regulations VoIP providers are subject to. The truth is that, so far, they are the subject of far less regulation than traditional phone companies, and some states want to ratify this lack of regulation into law so as not to stifle innovation and competition.

Here’s how the current regulatory environment for VoIP shapes up.

States and VoIP Regulation

Back in 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that companies providing VoIP service should not be subject to the regulations that apply to telephone companies.

More recently, several states have weighed whether to prohibit state regulatory agencies from regulating VoIP providers. Most recently, the California state senate passed a bill on a 30-6 vote that prevents the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from regulating VoIP providers in California. The bill states that neither CPUC nor other state agencies can regulate VoIP providers without a federal mandate.

The New Hampshire state senate passed a similar bill earlier this year. It  prevents the Public Utility Commission (PUC) from regulating VoIP providers. And in New York, the state senate is considering bill S. 5769, which eliminates state regulation of VoIP service, a bill supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Pros of VoIP Regulation

Those who are for regulation of VoIP providers say that without regulation, consumers could no longer bring complaints about service to state Public Service Commissions, and that states could not set standards for VoIP service in under-served regions.

They also argue that deregulation of landline phone providers has result in higher rates for most consumers. Furthermore, they argue, VoIP providers are not required to pay into funds supporting “lifeline” access to elderly and disabled people as regular phone companies do.

In New York, Communications Workers of America Research Economist Pete Sikora says, “The three main things that current telephone regulation covers are affordability, access and consumer quality. Under this legislation, if your VoIP phone breaks, good luck with that. If there is a long storm and lots of outages, there won’t be any consequences if they don’t fix the network.”

Cons of VoIP Regulation

The main points those against VoIP regulation on a state level point to have to do with the stifling effect that regulation could have on technological innovations. They argue further that with less regulation, it’s easier for VoIP start-up companies to launch their businesses, thus increasing competition and keeping prices for consumers low.

In California, State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), sponsor of the recently-passed bill, says that the bill simply locks in the state’s current “hands-off” policy as law. The result, Padilla says, will be a telecommunications industry that can continue creating innovative products and services. Marc Burgat, vice president of Government Affairs for CalChamber, says that keeping CPUC from regulating VoIP “would ensure that California maintains its competitive edge and continues to provide a regulatory environment that promotes advancements in internet technology.”

The Transition from Copper Wire to VoIP

There is no question that VoIP technology has permeated all aspects of phone communications. It is inexpensive enough that it is expected to replace copper wire lines eventually. In fact, many copper wire networks already depend on VoIP for completion of most calls. VoIP technology is also at the core of cable, phone, and fiber optic calling services. In short, there appears to be no going back to the days of wired telephone dominance.

VoIP Regulation at the Federal Level

The FCC currently classifies VoIP systems as “information services,” meaning that they are not subject to the regulations that apply to regular phone services. However, the FCC has managed to apply some regulations to VoIP, including:

• Requiring VoIP providers to get an FCC certificate before discontinuing service, particularly if they are the only carrier in a certain area
• Requiring providers to make services available to people with disabilities
• Requiring number portability, allowing customers to take their phone number with them from one carrier to another
• Requiring VoIP providers to provide enhanced 911 capabilities
• Requiring VoIP providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund, which is a federal program that helps pay for phone service in low-income and rural areas

The Bottom Line

The trend on both the federal and state levels is toward less regulation of VoIP service rather than more. Several states are enacting legislation that codifies in law the hands-off approach that most states have taken anyway. The effect of deregulation that is spelled out in law will play out over the next several years.

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So you took the plunge and decided to follow your dream and start your own business.

But how do you attract an audience? The answer is simple, organize a promotional event.

The very thought of running your first promotional event can be a little daunting, but the rewards could be well worth it if it is done right and with your audience in mind. Here are some things to remember when organizing an event.

The 5 keys to executing an exciting promotional event are:

• Think from your audiences P.O.V.
• Developing a plan.
• Involving your team.
• Contact the media.
• Make plans for your next promotional event.

See your Event through your Audiences Perspective

It is sometimes easy, when planning a promotional event, to forget to think about what you are planning through your customer’s eyes. Try to think: what would excite them? What would draw you to a business’s promotional event? Don’t think about your budget at this stage that will come later.

This is the time to brainstorm and really try to come up with the best ideas you can that you would want to see if you were a potential customer! If you try to always think about your audience’s wants and needs you will not only have an exciting promotional event, but a successful business!

Developing a Plan

You developed a plan when you decided you wanted to open a business and promoting it requires that same line of thinking! Now that you have had time to really understand what your customer wants, ask yourself if it is doable. Cross off the items that are totally out of your reach and make plans and goals for how to achieve what is. If you decide you want some event attractions like a popcorn machine, money booths, or prize wheels get in contact with the right people to make it happen! Have an organized task list so you can be ready on your event date.

Involving Your Team

No one can run an event by themselves, and if you try to you will most likely be overwhelmed. If at this stage you do not have team members look into hiring help even if it is just for the day.

You want everything to run smoothly, you don’t want to aggravate the people coming to see your promotional event by having them standing around and waiting because you are understaffed. That is a sure fire way to lose business. You want to make sure you have some people that can be there on your event day to help you make sure you can reach out to every potential customer.

Building a team and making sure they are all actively involved will not only alleviate the pressure on you, but it will most definitely ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Contact the Media

Everything is planned out, now how do you get people to come?

The number one way to get people to show up is… you guessed it, advertising. Make it known that you are planning a promotional event. Print up flyers; take an ad out in your local newspaper. A sure way to draw crowds is by holding a contest or offering some sort of prize. Call up your local news networks, radio stations, businesses and see if they will help you out.

Make Plans for your Next Promotional Event

Before your promotional event date passes make plans for your next one and make sure you tell all of your attendees when it will be. That way you may be able to have a guaranteed crowd base for your next event. Try to tie them both together, have a contest that day and have them come back to see the results.

Lastly, try to think of ways to retain your audience’s attention and get them to come back again.

Photo credit: promotionalevents.org

Shannon Martin is a writer for TradeShowMarketing.Com, an authority for online information on all things trade show business. She lives in Palm Coast, Florida.

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